J.R. Richards - MGR/Baritone/Producer
MGR/Owner/Baritone/Producer
J.R. Richards, wonderful Mom influenced him because as a young teen, well into her twenties, traveled and sang under brush arbors and to every nook and cranny of Alabama and West Florida. She was in a trio and played guitar. Times were hard when she married J.R.’s Dad and had to stop traveling to raise two boys. J.R.’s brother passed away at age six but his Mother’s faith never wavered as she gained new inspiration in showing J.R. the ropes. He was literally carried to concerts where groups like the Sunshine Boys, Sons of Song, Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, Homeland Harmony, etc. were performing. She was always an encouragement to him and sent him to the Stamps School of Music in 1967 where he met Linda Robinson who brought him to Nashville and got him immediately on TV along with the Rebels QT, Smitty Gatlin Trio and others. JR was active even way back then in back up work J.R. spent most of his years behind the scenes in backup work and production. He was most influenced in the studio by James,Ronnie and Larry Goss (The Goss Brothers). Over the years he has worked with some of the greats in gospel music, both known and unknown. Greats like, The Florida Boys and the Sentinels,The Challengers,Masters QT,The Fowlers,Wally Fowler and his own groups besides helping out groups like The Dixie Echoes when Dale Shelnut was at the helm. JR has been a part of The Christ Church Choir at Bill Gaither concerts when ever he was available. JR's Television experience goes from the Skylite Cavalcade to the Gospel Singing Jubilee to The PTL club and many more. Now once again because of his Mother’s leading, her last day’s wishes, and a burning urgency to be a witness to the lost, JR is launching what he feels to be one of the most versatile, “barn burner” of groups out there today. He had always told his Mother when he got ready to sing and travel again it would have to be with very special people with more than normal talent. His hope and prayer is that you are able to see and hear, if only from this website, the very special bond that people can have from the beginning.
Noel, a Long Beach, California native, began his musical career at the age of 17, traveling, singing and playing the bass with his Dad and his country gospel group, The Christian Troubadours. He toured with his Dad for 10 years until his Dad was called to preach and disbanded the Troubadours. After leaving the Christian Troubadours Noel traveled and evangelized as a soloist and continued to hone his talent as a bass player also. Noel became a much sought after bass player in Nashville, playing bass and putting background vocals on literally hundreds of recordings and jingles over the years, many of which have gone on to be huge successes. While playing bass and singing on a recording session for the late Grand Ole Opry legend Billy Walker, Walker approached Noel about fronting his road show. Noel accepted Walker's offer and toured with Walker for 3 years; working the road and performing on the stage of the world famous Grand Ole Opry many times. After leaving Walker, Noel took a job with country music legend George Jones, playing bass and opening his show. He next went on to work with Billie Jo Spears for the next 5 years. Billie Jo was so impressed with Noel that while they were recording an album in Dublin, Ireland, Billie Jo asked Noel to sing a duet with her. The song, "Every Time Two Fools Collide," was chosen to be a single and was a mammoth British success for Billie Jo. Noel says that he has never worked with anyone that, he felt, appreciated his talents more than Billie Jo Spears, other than his Dad of course. Leaving Billie Jo was a difficult thing but work slowed down and he felt a change was needed. After leaving Billie Jo Spears, Noel worked with Joe Stampley, of Moe and Joe fame for 7 years, filling auditoriums and arenas everywhere they worked. Joe decided to disband and once again Noel was faced with a way of feeding his family. While working in the studio one day a call came from the stuttering boy himself, Mel Tillis. He said he had opened a new theater in Branson, MO and would like Noel to play bass and sing in the show. Noel accepted and for the next 15 years he stayed in Branson working with Tillis. Noel credits Mel for teaching him how to truly entertain and interact with an audience. During all the many years of performing with country music artists Noel still feels as though God was using him as a lighthouse and a Godly example to whomever he worked with and came in contact with. Noel says "I have a passion for the ministry, and singing affords me the ability to do that in a way that I love." The last 5 years with Tillis Noel felt the tremendous passion to get back to his gospel music roots. Besides hundreds of performances on the world famous Grand Ole Opry, Noel has opened shows for almost every major performer in country music, past and present. People such as, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Charlie Daniels, Brenda Lee, Ronnie Milsap, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Reba McEntire, Ernest Tubb, Kathy Mattea, Neil McCoy, Darryl Singletary, and the list goes on and on. Noel has worked on TV shows such as the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, Austin City Limits, Hee Haw, Pop Goes The Country, and New Country. Although Noel has traveled the world and worked with a wealth of talented musicians and singers, he feels his greatest blessing comes from singing and being a minister in song to others. His unique style of singing a ballad warms the heart and stirs the soul. His charismatic personality only adds excitement to an up-tempo song. Noel's vocal range and distinctive style has a way of bringing an audience to their feet. Noel's professional career has afforded him the opportunities to work with many famous people and has allowed him to travel to various countries and interesting places, but the greatest thrill and excitement comes to him when he is able to see a soul saved or believer encouraged by his music and testimony.